Combined envelop and letter-sheet.



No. 878,234. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

w. A. PRIDMORE. COMBINED ENVELOP AND LETTER SHEET.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1907.

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COMBINED ENVELOP {AND LETTER-SHEET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application filed September 3|1907- Serial No. 391.137.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. PRIDMORE, a LltlZGTl of the Iinited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Envelops and thereof may form a pocket for the reception of the remaining part when folded to enter the pocket, so that the sealing of the flap forming a part of the pocket portion, may serve to secure the main part of the folded sheet within said pocket so that the latter may form an envelop therefor, whereby unauthorized inspection may be prevented. I accomplish said object in the manner hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a face view of a letter sheet embodying the features of my invention, Fig. 2, is aback view thereof, Fig. 3, is a view thereof as it would appear when the first two folds are made, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing said sheet as it would appear when next to the last stage of folding, Fig. 5, is a face view of the envelop as it wouldappear when sealed, Fig. 6, is a back view of the sheet as it would appear after opening and unfolding the letter, Fig. 7, is a face view of a portion ,of a sheet showing a modified construction, and Fig. 8, is a view showing the same as it would appear when partially folded.

Referring to the drawings, 0. represents, generally, a sheet of paper adapted to be folded upon itself from opposite side edges inwardly, substantially upon the lines I), b, so that the edges, when so folded may meet substantially in a line midway between the outer edges or, if preferred, so that one may overlap the other. In the example shown, said sheet is cut away at the upper edge, preferably in the shape indicated, sufliciently to form an extension or flap c which is provided with the usual adhesive material upon its surface for sealing, said sealing portlon ex tending between the lines I; b, of the longitudinal -olds. The edge upon which the flap is formed is, by preference, intended as the top of the sheet for writing purposes and when the letter is written, as indicated in- Fig. 1, and the longitudinal folds made therein, it would present the appearance shown in Fig. 3. The partially folded sheet is then intended to be folded transversely upon the lines (1, e andf, respectively, in the manner indicated in Fig. 4. It will thus boseen that the portion above the linef forms a pocket for. the reception of the folded part extending below the line a, and when said part is inserted therein, said pocket, which constitutes the novel feature of my invention, becomes in effect an envelop, presenting the appearance shown in Fig. 5. hen the flap 0 is sealed, the letter is protected against unauthorized manipulation or inspection and can only be opened by, tea-ring off the flap 01' by severing some part of the folded sheet.

In opening the letter, I prefer to cut the same upon the line f, in'which case the back of the sheet, when unfolded, would resent the ap earance shown in Fig. 6, with the severed fiap c adhering thereto.

As stated, the pocket formed from one art of the sheet for the reception of the f0 ded portion of another part, constitutes the prominentfeature of novelty of my invention. It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that the width of said pocket should be such as to permit the folded portion to freely enter it. The allowance necessary for this purpose, however, need be but very little and in practice is so slight as to be incapable of illustration upon the drawings without undue exaggeration. I prefer to indicate the location of the longitudinal and transverse folding lines respectively by means of water or other distinctive marks or ruling in order to insure the pro er degree of accuracy in the folds; the lines I b being upon the face and the lines d, e and f upon the back of the sheet. It is obvious that they need not be shown entirely across, but only at, or a short distance from the edges. The letter maybe addressed either before it is folded, as shown in Fig. 2, or after it is folded and sealed.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown a n1odifica tion of said invention in which the sealing flap g is placed upon the side edge of the. sheet and the two first folds made upon the lines h, i, which are placed far enough from said to be made so' as to form a flap l of-small area having adhesive material thereon to enable said flap to be pasted upon the edge or part which it overlaps as shownin Fig. 8. This than the cost ofan ordinary envelop and letter sheet, but after having passed through the mail, would retain the postmark which would often prove a feature of vital importance as a matter of evidence.

Inasmuch as the pocket will serve'to keep the folded portion in place unless a special attempt is made to open the. same, it is obvious that for circular purposes there need be no adhesive material upon the flap c.

Having thus described my invention, I claim v 1. A combined envelop and letter-sheet primarily folded inwardly from opposite edges in substantially parallel folds, then folded transversely to form aseries of not less than three folded sections, the section at one end of the sheet, as primarily folded, forming a pocket into which is inserted the section at the op osite end.

2. A combine envelo and letter sheet primarily folded inwar ly from opposite one end ofthe sheet, .as primarily folded,

forming a pocket for the reception of the section at t e opposite end, and-means u on one wall of the inc'losing section for .a hesively securing the safne to a wall of the inclosed section.

3. A combined envelo and letter sheet primarily folded inwar ly from opposite edges in substantially arallel folds, the portion between said fol s at one end being rovided with adhesive material thereon to orm a sealing flap, then folded transversely to form a series of not less than three folded sections, the section rovided with said flap forming a pocket, of which said fla constitutes a part, for the rece tion of tie section at the opposite end, w ereby the outer wall of said latter section may be adhesively secured to said flap.

4. A combined envelop and letter-sheet having a preliminarysealing flap upon one edge and a final sealing flap arran ed, when folded upon itself, to form a poc et to receive a section of the folded sheet to one wall of which pocket said flap may be adhesively secured.

5. A combined envelo and letter-sheet having a preliminary sea ing flap upon one edge thereof for attaching opposlte edges of the sheet to each other by folding the sheet inwardly'in parallel folds, and a final sealing flap upon ,an adjacent edge provided with adhesive. material 11' on its inner face between the lines of said fold which folds are extended to include said flap to form 'a pocket for the reception of a section of a subsequent fold to one wall of which pocket said flap in a; v be sealed.

6. A combined envelo and letter-sheet having a preliminary sea ing flap upon one, edge and a final sealing flap upon an edge of said sheet at right angles to said prelimin iry sealing flap, the latter being, folded inwardly upon itself to form inner and outer walls for inclosing a section of the folded sheet.

7. A combined envelop and letter-sheet having a preliminary sealing flap along one edge to permit the opposite edge to overlap and be secured upon a line substam ially midway between the edges of the sheet, and

a final sealing flap formed upon an edge at Bright angles to'sa d overlapping edges, said overlappln edges being arranged to include a part of -t 1e final sealing flap to form one. wall of a pocket for the reception of asection of the folded letter. i

8. A sheet of the class described, arranged to be folded rimarily from op osite edges inwardly, a ap for securing tile inwardly folded edges together, said flap having a line of perforations along its length, anrl a sealing flap upon an adjacent edge, said sialing fliip having inner and outer walls, one of which is provided upon its inner face Wl lI adhesive material for attaching it to a seat-ion of the folded letter when projected between said walls.

In testimony whereof, 1 hare signed this specification in the presence of. two subscribing Witnesses, thip 31st day of August;

' \VILLIAM A. PRIDUORE.

Witnesses D. H. FLETCHER, CARRIE E. JORDAN 

